>>6624695It's hard to say exactly, but he did have a specific policy of trying to prevent Germans from emmigrating overseas. He believed all Germans should vstay in Germany. He could have believed they would be needed to one day conquer the East like Poland and Russia and that Africa was a waste of time.

>>6624711Not really. America's entry is what doomed them, brits were running out of food quickly while the Germans still had the prospect of importing grain from the eastern countries.Anyway, that wasn't really my point. Germany was already at war with France and Russia. If they had been at peace, what would they have to fear from the U.K?

>>6624704>Why'd he be afraid of the UK? Didn't the economy surpass the UK's around the 1900s? Was it the navy or something?

Bismark was dead by the 1900s. The world doesn't work like that, the United Kingdom was a formidable opponent with a Navy that could fuck up Germany and starve her. From a completely diplomatic standpoint alienating the UK was stupid and hard-headed as it controlled nearly 1/4 of the world, and had the economic prowess to dominate over Germany after unification.

Everything about Germany interests in 19th century Europe was surrounded by the concert of Europe, that being the balance of power within the continent. Bismark wanted Germany to be a powerhouse with no allies, but he also believed in realpolitk, pragmatic solutions that would actually work. He defeated Austria by orchestrating their defeat years before, and did the same with France. Germany's interests were being top-dog between its other very powerful neighbours, giving it social and economic leverage within the continent.

What, did you think that after Unification everything was just done. France has never really tolerated a unified Germany, the only way for Germany to defend itself from enemies on all sides was to be on the offensive at all times. (A strategy still used today kinda).

>>6624695I think he said something to the effect they were a waste of time.His priority was European diplomacy, crafting alliances and maintaining a balance of power favorable to Germany. That was a pretty big deal.

>>6624695There was a dream called Deutsches Kaiserreich. You could only whisper it.It is likely that when unified the German nations, Otto had planned to expand.Someday the Germans and the rest of the Germanic nations will be remembered with longing.

>Tfw no Russian-Prussian permanent alliance>Russian industrialization funded by German banks instead of French>Two biggest armies in the world, two biggest economies>Btfo the eternal Anglo, France too weak to do anything about it>Austria Hungary divided and absorbed into Slavic and Germanic Empire, with buffer in Poland and Hungary>Peace and prosperity in Eurasia forever.

Why did the Germans ally with the Hapsburgs? Russia had a far greater potential and was a much bigger threat. Even if France allied with AH they would never last a month against a three front war against Germany, Serbia and Russia.Even Italy could be kept in this alliance as well? Yeah I'm being an armchair general here but it just makes so much more sense to keep the Italians and Russians on your side over the Austrians??

>>6625159>Grandma was born near königsberg before ww2>had to flee>40 years later she visited her home region>Local notices her speaking german>spergs out and starts calling her a traitor and that if it werent for ppl like her germany couldve won